Thomas O’Loughlin
Introduction to the Celebration
The word ‘religion’ conjures up for most people, and indeed us Christians also, two great images. The first is that system of moral ‘do-s and don’t-s’ — and that we have image is true whether one thinks such rules are a good thing. The second is that there are various religious that have to be followed: like the rule that we have to go on Sundays. But the message of Jesus, brought out in gospel, is that we must go beyond these appearances: our actions must be following but must be inspired love; our religious observances cannot be merely formal must open us to mystery of love that is greater that the univ yet which enters every detail of the creation.